The Register

The E-Newsletter of The Mini Register

January 2009

Happy New Year

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New Members

We would like to extend a very warm welcome to The Mini Register to:

John McBride and Lynn Bate, St Helens, Merseyside, UK

2008(58) MINI Cooper in red with a white roof 

Although the roof will not remain just white for much longer as it will be getting one of these Michael Caine photo decals

"BMW owner for past 8 years but wrote it off in October (not my fault) decided to buy a new Mini, now just need to remove the smile from my face, brilliant little car.."

Wayne Blankenship, Tampa, Florida, USA

2002 MINI Cooper S in Silver

Martin Reid, Canterbury, NSW, Australia

1965 Morris Mini Deluxe (Australian) in Toga White called Yootha

This is a totally original early Mini Deluxe made at the BMC(Aust) plant in Sydney and is complete with wind-up windows, Hydrolastic suspension, remote gear shift, key start, etc.

"The car has been in the family since new. Purchased with a matching white and blue interior Wolosley from Arthur Tuckwell Motors, Ryde, NSW. Mini delivered 14 January 1966."

Andre Jacinto, Leiria, Portugal

1977  Mini IMA in Turquoise

1978  Mini Panel Van in Dark green

The Mini IMA is a Portuguese made version of Mini traveller that has one rear door, instead of two. Andre's IMA is almost totally original and is waiting for restoration.  

Andre has kindly translated an article on the IMA, see below

Andre's Mini van is also unusual - if you are in Portugal that is - the van started life as an AA breakdown Van in South Africa, and is now left-hand drive. Fitted with the South African made 1275cc engine (oil filter up front like the Marina), it also has wider wheels from a South African Mini 1000S. It was driven as a daily drive car and although it still runs, it is waiting for a re-spray.

Martin and Eleanor Lewis, Norwich, Norfolk, UK

2005 Mini Cooper Convertible in red and fitted with spot lights and a K&N induction kit

"We have owned the Mini for just over a year trading in our MG but wanting a fun convertible car which we could also take our 3 year old in. We are out most weekends in the car and as long as its not raining the hood is down! We have added spot lights and a K&N induction kit and are soon having some bonnet stripes painted on by a local body spray shop."

Paul and Julie Wise, Bicester, Oxfordshire, UK

2006 MINI One Convertable in Hyper Blue called "Min Bin"

Mini One Convertable in Hyper Blue with Pepper Pack, optional Sports seats, Chrome Line interior, Clear Indicators and Union Jack interior and exterior Mirrors

James, Victoria and Stanley Johnston, South Croydon, Greater London, UK

1994 Mini Rio in blue now fitted with a new stainless steel exhaust, stereo and halogen headlights.

"I bought it in 2008 from a friend who could not afford the up keep. It is a summer run around for the wife & I."

Chris Trott, Hockley, Essex, UK

1992 Mini Cooper Silverstone in black fitted with 13" deepdish Ultralite's, wide arches, spax adjustables, and Angel eye headlamps

"I am told this is a prototype Mini, they made 2000 for the German market in left hand drive and just one in right hand drive, to show what it will be like, but never made it over there."

Kevin and Mandy Archary, Midrand, Gautang, South Africa

1978 Mini Vanden Plas called "Little One"

The Mini Vanden Plas is a rare South African built luxury Mini and Kevin and Mandy's is a very nice example that shows the original bronze colour scheme with the special graphics

"I had quite a few repairs done on it like the hydraulic brake switch, I had problems with the timing...causing her to heat up very quickly but that all fixed up now.

I had her serviced, I replaced the original Champion spark leads, Lucas rotor & distributor cap, I had all the brake shoes redone.

The biggest repair was replacing the rear main seal in place.

I still need to get a few thing done... like getting hold of the chrome beading that goes on the side from wheel arch to wheel arch, replace the original head lights as the aluminium coating is peeling away, and the front carpets are damaged a bit, door rubbers and the rear wing window rubbers as well."

Members update

"After quite a search we have found that our Mini is a 1984 (from the German plates) and from the model lists it is a Mini Mayfair Sport built for the German market. All we have to do now is try and register it with the DVLA will keep you informed.

Jon Barber, Berkshire, UK

Earlier this year I was asked to provide my car for a piece in Practical Classics Magazine which was partly written by myself in an item called Your Favorite Classic Drive. It was originally written for my 1965 Camper but that was written off in a car accident just weeks before so had to use my Mini which as it turned out was probably better esp when you see the great photography that was done on the day.

Liam Andrews, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, UK

Liam has been progressively improving his Mini Racing Green and has now added a chrome grill

Rabawi Rahim, Terengganu, Malaysia

Awie recently sent some photos of his 1275 GT, resplendent after its 3 year restoration. The Mini has been in the family for some time, originally owned by his Dad.

Awie in the GT in 1982

Awie and GT now

And the tradition continues with generation 3.

James Hunter

"Just a wee note to update you on the progress of project bumblebee, stripdown complete, subframe captured bolt n.s renewed, and metalwork been replaced and undersealed, boot floor been repaired new rear vallance been fitted and closing end pieces been made, fitted and undersealed. lots of new panels been ordered and some here waiting to be fitted..anyhoo chrimbo is here and work will probably stop for a while

so fill you all in soon....."

Rear subframe mounting point repair

Lower rear wing repair

Harry Woodthorpe, Welling, Kent, UK

Harry joined the Mini Register in 2007 and has been working hard on improving his Mini, although he still has two years to go before he can apply for a licence. The car now has:

1275 engine, Angel eye headlights, Ultra rear and side indicators, genuine Sportspack arches, 7x13 deeep dish grey wheels, half leather recaro interior out of Rover Vitesse (not fitted yet), speakerboard and boot carpet set, dashboard painted same colour as car, full rollcage (not fitted yet), two new doors (not fitted yet), powerbuldge bonnet (not fitted), rear arches tubbed and lowered approx 4"

"I got my Mini when I was 13 and am hoping to get it painted for Christmas in the same colour but with colour coded arches etc... bought a 1275 for it off of ebay about a year ago for 100 pounds which I thought was a bargin, it has a Minisport exhuast and a straight through link pipe and I have also got a Webber carb for it waiting to be fitted. I also have a set of Koni shocks, lowered shock mounts, poly bushed engine shock mounts and a set of uprated cams."

Mini 50 Cup

The Historic Rally Car Register's successful Historic Stage Rally Challenge will feature a special Mini 50 Cup for 2009 to celebrate the 50t anniversay. The Mini 50 Cup will use the same eight rallies and will be open to all Minis up to 1981. There will be three classes split by engine capacity - 1000cc, 1001-1300 and over 1300, the last class will also include all Minis fitted with eight port heads.

The rounds are:

 January 18th -  Red Kite Stages, Wales (gravel)
 March 15, The Robin Hood Stages, Nottinghamshire (gravel)
 April 18, Get it Sideways Stages, Down Ampney (sealed)
 May 3, The Welsh Rally, Epynt (asphalt)
 May 25, Millbrook Stages (asphalt)
 June 20, Rally of the Midlands (asphalt)
 August 15, Neath Valley Stages, Wales (gravel)
 September 26, Trackrod Rally Yorkshire (gravel)

Portugese Mini IMA

Andre Jacinto has kindly translated this  article from May 1977 on the Portuguese special Mini IMA.

Portuguese market - New cars

Mini Ima MK2

The little IMA is a "Made in Portugal" version of the well known Mini Van, presenting a single rear door instead the two half-doors of the original model, more comfortable seats, more complete equipment, and more luxurious trim. From the local perspective the new IMA seems to have a brilliant career because, besides being one of the cheaper models - or, if you prefer, less expensive - on sale now, it is one that offers a more advantageous price/value relationship.

The Portuguese legislation that, from 1975, started to promote the financial aspect of hybrid vehicles, by allowing them to be sold at lower prices than other cars, is certainly the origin of the creation of Mini IMA now on sale. Indeed, the Van version, until now seen as a utility vehicle, became much more competitive than the normal Mini thanks to its low price, also considering the space for baggage and the practical function. To enhance its attractiveness, it was essential to improve some aspects. That was done, and thus was born the IMA.

A local rear door.

The new model was totally conceived, assembled and transformed by British Leyland of Portugal's technicians, in collaboration with IMA (Industria de Montagem de Automoveis - Mounting Automobile Industry), their factory located in Setubal assembles vehicles from the Austin, Morris, Mini and Land-Rover brands of cars, hence the adopted designation.

The main changes made were: the manufacture of a rear door that opens up, in place of the two half doors than are opened sideways, which contributed to significantly increased visibility; design of new more comfortable seats, the rear one being foldable to enlarge the loading area; moving the battery to the engine area, freeing the trunk and easing the inspection and maintenance operations; installation of a more complete instrument panel, which succeeds with the rest of the equipment, etc. The front grille is identical to the Mini 1000's one, the hubcaps are chrome, the floor is totally carpeted, including the loading area, and the rear windows open.

The engine is the veteran 4 cylinders in line mounted transversally over the front axles with 998 cc of displacement and a maximum power of 40hp DIN at 5100rpm. The compression ratio is 8.3:1, and the torque is 7.2mkg at 2100rpm, front-wheel drive, gearbox with 4 synchronized speeds plus reverse, rack and pinion steering, independent suspension all around, with conical rubber springs and telescopic shock absorbers, hydraulic drum brakes all around.

Dimensions and performances.

The dimensions of the Mini IMA are the following: 3,30m of length, 1,41m of width, 1,36m high, 2,14m between axles, 1,20m side front and 1,16m rear track. With regard to the load area, the length is 1,40m by 1,37m wide and 0,95m high, and, with the seats folded, the capacity reaches 1.3 cubic meters. The vehicle weights 630kg, with a payload of 312kg. The fuel tank has a capacity of 27 litres.

According to the performances indicated by the factory, the maximum speed is 120km/h, the acceleration from 0-100km/h is of 23,5 seconds, and the fuel consumption varies from 6,8 to 8,8 liters per 100km.

A special version of the Mini Van (also fitted with more luxurious trim, opening rear side windows, etc.), similar to the Mini IMA, was on sale last year with the price of 99 180$00 (escudos, the old Portuguese monetary unit. Approximately 495 euro, or 342 pounds), that rose this January to 111 557$00 (556 euro / 383 pounds). The actual price of the Mini IMA is 146 250$00 (729 euro / 502 pounds), which represents an increase when compared with the previous value, thanks to the devaluation of the Escudo, and to the increase in the prices of the local components, which is relevant in this case, because the IMA has an higher local content.

The price of the new model, already considered competitive in relation to the competition, should become even more advantageous in July, when the new designation of "hybrid vehicle" (the designation for vehicles like the IMA) will be introduced, this shows that the IMA has the required characteristics, unlike its rivals. So, there's a new breath for the old Mini, this time in the shape of a crisis version of "Made in Portugal"

(ACP Magazine, May 1977)

Mildred returns

Originally prepared to Group A specification and made famous by being the last Mini to win its class on a WRC event, Neil Burgess's Mini "Mildred" is to be brought out of retirement this year to celebrate the 50th anniversay.

Neil Burgess and Motorsport New's Jim Holder entered Mildred on the 2003 Wales Rally GB, the final round of the 2003 World Rally Championship and also the last opportunity to run a Mini on a WRC event as the hologation expired at the end of 2003.

Mildred got tremendous coverage and support and finished a creditable 39th overall and first in class

Mildred will be at the Rally Show, Chatsworth on the 7th June

That's how they did it

Or did they?. There can't be a Mini enthusiast over the last 40 years who has not at some point pondered on Michael Caine and the gang's predicament at the end of The Italian Job and wondered what he had in mind when Charley Crocker said "Hang on a minute lads - I've got a great idea".

The Royal Society of Chemists recently held a competition to come up with a scientific solution that preserved the gold and the members of the gang.

2000 entries were received and the winner, John Godwin, gets a trip to Turin for his troubles.

You can see his submission here http://prospect.rsc.org/blogs/rsc/italianjobentries/winner.pdf which was as follows:

• Break outwards the two large windows in the centre of the bus
• Lean through these and break inwards the remaining side windows to the front
• Lower a man out of the window to let the air out of the 4 front tyres
• Empty the fuel tank by removing the drain plug accessible from within the coach

At this point the balance of the coach would allow one man to leave and bring rocks to counter-balance the gold.

Apparently Michael Caine suggested afterwards that the plan was to run the engine until the tank was dry but the RSA competition required that the solution would take less than 30 minutes.

John Godwin does pose the question of what the did next after getting the gold to the roadside?.

Freestyle Build

The last of the major mechanical parts of the build are now complete, the last of these was the re-conditioning of the four calipers. This rather Heath Robinson arrangement has been pressed into service on a number of occasions. An old Mini brake cylinder and flexible hose is used to pump the piston opposite the hose. The other piston, initially held in place with the G-clamp is then driven out with a punch through the pipe hole.

After a thorough cleaning with thinners and an air line, stainless pistons and seals were fitted before the calipers were sprayed with caliper paint. The paint instructions stipulate a minimum temperature of 22 degrees so with outside temperatures below zero, the calipers, the air around them and the aerosol can itself were heated before spraying and this appears to have done the trick.

The exhaust and its support bracket are now also complete, even though the engine is firmly held in place with solid mountings, rubber bobbins were added to support the silencer.

The wiring has now also been fully buzzed out and a large oil pressure warning light occupies a prominent position. A last minute change  of plan was the addition of three neons to the steering column cowl, these show when the ignition, cooling fan and water pump are switched on. These inexpensive neons are available from accessory shops in packs of 4 and are available in green, blue and red.

With any luck, the Freestyle will be able to go, and stop, under its own power before the next months edition of The Register.

Wirral to Llandudno Run

Our annual start to the Mini year is the excellent Wirral Mini Clubs run to LLandudno on the North Wales coast. Once again, the club were very well organised with the marshals directing the 200+ Minis into the car park at Bromborough before the run along the A55 along the coast.

This intrepid Moke driver had travelled up from Gloucester a trip of 150 very cold miles before the start

A bout of rain swept in as we approached the coast and the Achilles heal of the Mini struck with a number of bonnets raised at the side of the road

A stop at Rhos-on-sea ....

...before carrying on to the top of the Great Orme. The wind up here was so strong that the cars rocked on their suspension

It was then back down into the town of Llandudno were the Minis lined up on the Promenade

This interesting flip-front arrangement uses the hinges and gas struts from Ford Galaxy

Mini Workshop - Radiator fan switch

The Mini Cooper with an electric fan under the wing has a switch for the fan fitted to the lower front of the radiator.

There are however two different arrangements (as we found after we had bought the radiator), the earlier arrangement on the left uses a bayonet arrangement to hold the switch in place but for the later models, the switch screws into the radiator.

The bayonet fitting is a plastic ring which presses agains the top of the switch, which in turn fits into a seal with a flange. After trial and error we found that it is the flange end that must go in first, put it in the other way and the water just pours out. Even with it in the correct way, some silicone sealant was required before the arrangement was water tight.

The plastic ring is quite flexible and difficult to push in and twist...

...so a suitable socket was used to press the switch into position

The lesson learnt from this exercise is that if you are going to replace one of the earlier radiators, get the later model and a screw-in switch

Events

8th March - UK - Malvern Mini Show

13th-15th March - UK - Race Retro, classic motorsport event at Stoneleigh Park, strong Mini presence including 1967 Monte winning LBL 6D.

29th March - UK - Brooklands Mini Day

22nd - 25th April - USA - Party in the Smokies - all Classic Mini event - more details

2nd-4th May - UK - MiniWorld Riviera Run from Reading t Newquay in Cornwall

16th May - USA - 8th Annual Nevada City Adventure, Nevada city, California - Mini event organised by Mini Mania for Classic Minis and MINIs - more details

17th May - UK - London to Brighton run from Crystal Palace to Madeira Drive

22nd-24th May - UK - Mini United at Silverstone - more details

6th/7th June - UK - The Rally Show, Chatsworth House, Derbyshire

7th-9th August - UK - IMM and Mini 50 Show, Crofton Park, Longbridge

That's it, please let us know what is going on in your part of the world.

Keep in touch

Mike Bennett
theregister@miniregister.co.uk

The opinions expressed in The Register are those of the members and not necessarily those of The Mini Register.

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